Some freeway traffic lanes through East Los Angeles will be shifted to the wrong side of the road starting today as major reconstruction begins at a key interchange, Metro officials said.

One of the three lanes on the southbound Long Beach (710) Freeway will be shifted to the left of the center median, causing a split with the two remaining lanes to the right of the center median.

Traffic using the single lane to the left of the regular median will be protected from oncoming traffic by temporary concrete wall, Metro officials said.

The southbound lanes must be split to get past pillars for an overpass in the middle of the freeway. Three lanes will thus be open in each direction.

The unusual split lanes configuration starts Thursday on the 710 Freeway at its interchange with the Pomona (60) Freeway in East Los Angeles, Metro officials said. A 45-mile per hour speed limit will be in force on both directions of the 710 in the interchange area.

The traffic switch will allow contractors to replace seriously-worn concrete paving on the freeway. It is part of a $120 million project to rehabilitate the 50-year-old 710 Freeway between Imperial Highway and Ramona Boulevard.

The split lane configuration will last several months, and the entire project is due for completion in 2015, Metro officials said.

After hearing about an unfortunate situation a Suva Elementary student was facing at home, one of the school’s attendance technicians sprang into action and personally made sure the child was clothed and fed.

Sylvia Sanchez, second to left, poses with MUSD school board members Edgar Cisneros, David Vela and Lani Cupchoy after receiving the “Above and Beyond” award on Jan 16. (EGP photo by Nancy Martinez)

Last week, the Montebello Unified School District honored Sylvia Sanchez for “going above and beyond her regular job” to arrange a cash donation and a delivery of food from a food bank to the student’s home.

“We’re really thankful for her handiwork and her dedication to the school district,” said MUSD Board President David Vela. “Its very commendable.”

A colleague nominated Sanchez for the school district’s “Above and Beyond Award” recognition when she learned the technician had spent her own money to buy clothes for the student. And according to her nomination, it’s not the first time Sanchez has come to the aid of students and others in need:

“Many times she has organized donations for needy families, she has a sense of compassion that is unsurpassed – always there to lend a helping hand to anyone” and when needed will without hesitation go “into helping mode,” reads the nomination.

Sanchez was presented with a certificate of recognition during MUSD’s Jan. 16 board meeting.

A search was underway Wednesday for a missing 43-year-old stroke survivor who has partial paralysis in both arms and is prone to seizures.

Adrian John Cortez was last seen at his residence on South Eastman Avenue in East Los Angeles at noon Monday, according to the Sheriff’s Headquarters Bureau, which has circulated his photo.

The stroke left Cortez with diminished mental capacity, high blood pressure and a limp, according to the sheriff’s department.

Cortez was wearing a red zippered jacket, gray thermal shirt, black jeans and slippers when last seen. He is 5 feet 6 inches tall and weighs 150 pounds, with brown hair and brown eyes and a chin scar that is two to three inches long.

Anyone with information about his whereabouts was asked to call sheriff’s detectives T. Abraham or C. Carns at (323) 890-5500.

Los Angeles police asked for the public’s help Wednesday in solving the shooting death of a 25-year-old man in Boyle Heights.

Oscar Alberto Felix was fatally shot in the 600 block of North Fickett Street about 5:20 p.m. Friday and found on the porch of a home, police said.

It was unclear if the shooter was on foot or in a car, and detectives were stumped as to a motive. Anyone with more information about the homicide was asked to call detectives at the Hollenbeck Station at (323) 342-8900.

Playtex has announced the recall of popular pacifier holder clips because they pose a chocking hazard to small children.

The recalled clips attach a pacifier to items like clothing, diaper bags and strollers, according to Playtex’s announcement. Clips sold came in green with a monkey figure, pink with a flower or blue with a tow truck, and have the Playtex logo that slides up and down to adjust the clip, a ribbon and a clear plastic ring that stretches to fit the pacifier.

The pacifiers were made in China and about 1.25 million were sold in the U.S. at Walmart, Burlington Coat Factory, other retailers and online at Amazon.com, among others, from July 2010 through October 2013 for about $3.

Consumers are urged to take the pacifier away from infants and to contact Playtex for instructions on how to return the product for a full refund: Call toll-free (888) 220-2075, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET Monday-Friday or online at www.playtexproducts.com and click on Recall for more information.

Editor’s Note: Story updated Jan. 27, 2014: Playtex pacifier clips were not sold at Target as previously reported by the US Consumer Protection Service Commission.

The Los Angeles City Council voted Wednesday to support a congressional bill that would enable state and local transportation agencies to require contractors to hire locals.

The council voted unanimously to back Democratic Rep. Karen Bass’ “Local Hire Act,” which would enable agencies, such as Metro, to mandate that a portion of workers are locals.

State and local transportation agencies are currently barred from imposing local hiring requirements on federally funded projects.

“There is tremendous potential to create jobs as we build a transportation system that will finally allow people to easily get around the city without their cars,” said Councilman Mike Bonin, who introduced a resolution supporting bill.

About $130 million in federal funds for the Metro project was secured last week, with more expected to come, for the downtown Los Angeles Regional Connector and the “Subway to the Sea.”

A $7.2 million grant from California’s Department of Health and Human Services will allow the Montebello Unified School District to administer its Head Start Program for the next five years, the District has announced.

Budgetary constraints will no longer hamper MUSD’s low-income early childhood program, which during the 2013-2014 school year forced MUSD to cut the number of Head Start classes offered by the District.

The five-year grant was awarded following a competitive application process which resulted in the MUSD being the first school district in Los Angeles County to be funded.

The grant will become available during the 2014-2015 school year that starts on July 1.

Recent changes to federal regulations allowed potential providers like MUSD to compete for federal funding to provide services to low-income students too young to attend elementary school. The grant will allow MUSD to work directly with the Office of Head Start, bypassing the Los Angeles County Office of Education (LACOE).

“Being able to have control over how we provide these early learning programs to our young children will be critical to the success they have when they enroll in our schools,” Montebello Unified Superintendent Susanna Contreras Smith said. “We couldn’t be more pleased about this grant and we will use these funds to continue nurturing and supporting the intellectual and emotional growth of these young minds for years to come.”

MUSD’s Head Start Program provides services to nearly 900 students ranging in age from 4 weeks to 5 years old at 11 schools throughout the district.

“It is our priority to give our students the best possible start in life by preparing them for success in elementary school and beyond,” said Superintendent Cleve Pell.

The Head Start/Early Learning Program offers services to low-income families who either receive CalWorks or meet federal low-income guidelines and live within the school district.

All Day — 9th Annual “Museums Free-For-All,” a joint effort to present the arts and culture to SoCal’s diverse communities, offers free admission to 20 local museums, including the Annenberg Space for Photography, Armory Center for the Arts, The Autry National Center of the American West, California African American Museum, California Science Center, Fowler Museum at UCLA, The Getty Center, The Getty Villa (Timed Tickets are required. Visit www.getty.edu.), Hammer Museum, Japanese American National Museum, Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) (Offer valid for general admission only. Does not apply to specially ticketed exhibitions.) Good for general museum admission only, not special ticketed exhibitions. Regular parking fees apply. For a complete listing of museums or for more information, visit www.museumsla.org.

6pm—City of Commerce Public Scoping Meeting on Proposed Retail Center Project at the Batres Community Center at Bandini Park (4627 Astor Ave.). Local residents & businesses can give input regarding the 148,200 sq ft retail development project proposed for the southwest corner of Atlantic and Washington Blvds. A second scoping meeting will be held at 6pm Jan. 30 at the Commerce Senior Citizens Center (2555 Commerce Way). For more information, contact the Public Works/Development Services Department at (323) 722-4805.

Friday, Jan. 24

6-8pm—Metro Presents: Free Salsa Performance by LA Picante at Historic Union Station. Band will perform two-sets (6 & 7pm) of its celebrated blend of classical salsa & Latin Jazz. Admission is Free & dancing encouraged. Location: Fred Harvey Room, a space that is usually closed to the public. Union Station is located at 800 No. Alameda St. LA 90012 and can be easily reached by Metro Rail or Bus & several municipal bus lines. Use the Trip Planner at metro.net for routes and connections.

Saturday, Jan. 25

9am-2pm—Weekly East Los Angeles Farmers Market at the East LA Civic Center. Lots of vendors with fresh produce and other items, crafts, cooking demonstrations, Zumba, music and more. East LA Civic Center is located at 4801 E. 3rd St, LA 90022 (3rd St. & Mednik). For more information, visit www.velasfarmersmarkets.com.

10am-6pm—Monterey Park’s Annual Lunar Festival Jan. 25- 26. The event will take place on Garvey Avenue, between Garfield & Atlantic. It will feature over 200 booths with food, specialty items & gifts; live entertainment & carnival rides. Free shuttles at Ynez School (120 S. Ynez), Mark Keppel High School (501 E. Hellman Ave.), and Barnes Park Service Club House (350 S. McPherrin Ave.) For more information, visit www.HappyChineseYear.com or call (626) 307-1390.

Monday, Jan. 27

4-5pm—Thor Reptile Show at the El Sereno Library. Just for Teens! Visit the branch and see and touch an awesome assortment of reptiles including snakes, lizards, and more! Library is located at 5226 S. Huntington Dr. LA 90032. For more information, call (323) 225-9201.

Wednesday, Jan. 29

1-4pm—CalFresh Application Assistance at the Anthony Quinn Public Library in East L.A. The CalFresh Program (California’s name for the food stamp program) issues monthly electronic benefits to those that qualify that can be used to buy most foods at many markets and food stores. Staff will be available to guide you through the application process. The library is located at 3965 Cesar E. Chavez Ave., LA 90063. For more information call (323) 264-7715.

5pm—Center Theatre Group Presents the Boyle Heights Theatre Tours at the Benjamin Franklin Library. Dramatic readings from Hoop Girls by Gabriela López de Dennis presented by Casa 0101. Step into the world of LA women with hip hop flair who desire, fear, grow and share a love for hoop earrings. Free Admission- Open to adults, teens & seniors. The library is located at 2200 E. 1st Street, LA 90033. For more information, call (323) 263-6901.

5-7pm—East LA Library Presents Money Matters, a workshop where kids can learn the importance of how to earn, spend, save, and donate money. For children ages 6-12. Library is located at 4837 E. 3rd St. LA 90022. For more information, call (323) 264-0155.

6-7pm—City of Commerce Hosts Financial Aid Workshop Jan. 29 for students attending college in the fall. All are welcome to attend. The workshop will be held from 6 to 7pm at the City Hall Emergency Operations Center: 2535 Commerce Way. For more information, visit http://teens.cocpl.org .

Upcoming

Celebrate Chinese New Year In Bell Gardens Jan. 31. Celebrate the Year of the Horse with traditional food, activities and an educational video in the Game Room at the Veterans Park: 6662 Loveland St. Admission: $2 per child. Time: 3:30-5:30 p.m. For more information call (562) 806-7650.

White Memorial Hosts Free “Natural Nursing” Breastfeeding Class Feb. 4. Session will help parents make wise decisions about how they want to feed their baby. The class will be held in the Parent Education Conference Room, 3rd Floor SCT: 1720 E. Cesar E Chavez Ave in Boyle Heights. To reserve a space, call (323) 265-5050.

League of Women Voters Forum on Hunger- “Let Them East Cake” – Feb. 6 from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., at the Women’s City Club, 160 N. Oakland Ave., Pasadena. Speakers include Gil Nelson, director of Family Services at Union Station Homeless Services & Socorro Naranjo Rocha, coordinator of Families in Transition – a homeless/transitional program in the Pasadena Unified School District. Program is free & open to the public, however, reservations are required & a $25 charge if you want lunch. RSVP requested to assure adequate seating during program. Deadline is Jan. 31.

To submit an event or announcement to the Community Calendar, e-mail calendar@egpnews.com. All submissions are subject to space availability. Paid advertising available for guaranteed calendar placement. For more information, email advertise@egpnews.com or call (323) 341-7970.